Luke 19:1-10 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Why is the story of Zacchaeus significant?
Zaccheus was a tax collector. In those days, tax collectors were hated by society, often seen as thieves who no one wanted to be around. In other words, the guy had a bad reputation! Zaccheus also had limitations. He was short, unable to see through the crowd. Because he was unliked and small, he was probably pushed aside by many.
Why did Jesus notice and want to be with Zacchaeus?
Hunger & Willingness: Jesus saw a great desire within Zacchaeus to be in the presence of the Lord. He didn’t let people’s opinion stop him. He also didn’t allow his own limitations stop him. Zacchaeus also recognized he had done some things wrong and immediately addressed them before the Lord. He was willing to change his ways!
Although there was a large crowd to see Jesus, he bypassed many to find one who was willing to do anything just to get a glimpse of Him. In other words, there were many people who came to see Jesus as a spectator or just out of curiosity from things they had heard. But, Jesus overlooked them. Perhaps, he sensed they were there for the wrong reasons!
Now, let’s look at this in a way that is relevant to us today! Many go to church, watch spiritual TV programs, or have some type of religious beliefs, traditions, or acts of service. However, how many of us are actually interested in meeting with Jesus Christ? Remember, Jesus bypassed most of the crowd to get to the one who would do anything to be near Him. Meeting with Jesus must be our first priority as a believer in Him. If we go to church out of duty, curiosity, or as a spectator, chances are we won’t get the Lord’s approval much less his manifest presence in our lives.
Examine your hearts and start to become hungry for the presence and the things of God. What are your limitations? Is it your past, reputation, fear of man, passivity, shyness, laziness, or timidity? Do you care too much about what others think? Are you willing to put aside your limitations to seek Him and grow in all He has for you? Stop caring about what others think! If you have a chance to get in his presence….do it! Be the one who cries out to Him with all your heart. Run to the altar at every opportunity. Don’t just sing songs about the Lord…rather, worship him with all your heart, soul, and strength. Be like Zaccheus, be willing to climb to get a glimpse of Him and forget about others opinions of you. The only opinion that should matter to us is that of Jesus Christ!
Matthew 5:6 (NIV) Blessed are those who ‘hunger and thirst’ for righteousness, for they will be filled. 'Hunger and thirst’ are strong words! If you translate them from the original Greek definitions, they mean: an ardent, eager, famishing, all consuming craving, desire and passion of the soul for God and his righteousness. Rise up ladies! Become eager and passionate about the presence of God! Start to crave, desire, and have a consuming urgency to get the Lord’s attention! Even right now, you can start to call out to Him and say ‘Jesus, I need you in my life! Help me be who you have called me to be. I don’t care about what others think…I only want you! Forgive me of my past and help me change my ways. I want to get your attention….not just go through religious motions. Give me a greater hunger for your presence and righteousness! Notice me Lord….I am not going to let limits stop me anymore!’ HUNGERING FOR MORE OF HIS PRESENCE, SHERI DEOBALD |
Luke 19:1-10 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” 
2 comments:
It is an honor to be in the presence of any king....how much more the king of kings and lord of lords! Forgive us God for being spectators and not just purely desiring you in our lives.
Belive in GOD and trust yourself.
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